1:1's

Nothing replaces a 1:1 meeting with your direct employees.

As a small business owner, time is your most precious resource. Invest some of this time each week to meet with your employees 1:1. That means scheduling time that works for your and your team members - same time very week is best. Make it a time that is convenient and won't be rescheduled. Make it a priority for you - and for  your employees. Book 30min for most of the team, and an hour for most senior members - you don't have to use the whole time, but it is reserved!

For the meetings - each of you should bring a pad of paper, pen, and a file with notes from prior meetings. The meeting is for your employee - and they own the agenda for the first 3/4's of the meeting. They should bring topics they want to discuss with you - anything is fair game. Training, jobs, priorities, work place issues, longer term projects, work place organization, hiring, etc. Anything that is on their minds. Your should focus on their issues, not your own. Listen and discuss. You get the last few minutes to discuss your issues and priorities.

1:1's are empowering for your team. They will appreciate your attention and focus. At first they will be nervous - but they will get used to the process and value it. Write down what you have agreed to - and what they have agreed to. Follow-up on your commitments. 

Regular 1:1's will also have the benefit of reducing interruptions. Remind your employees to use their 1:1 time for less than urgent issues - and you will also see that 'urgent' issues become less urgent, and that your employees will solve many problems on their own.

1:1's are an important part of managing and leading your team. Prioritize them and take them seriously.

A great resource is a book by Andy Grove of Intel.